Coal Company Pushes for Flexible Mine Safety Protocols
Published Date: 1/12/2026
Notice
Summary
Consol Pennsylvania Coal Company wants to change some safety rules at their mine to use a different method that keeps workers just as safe. This petition could affect miners at their Pennsylvania mine and might change how safety checks are done, but won’t cut corners on protection. Everyone has until February 11, 2026, to share their thoughts before any decisions are made.
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Mine seeks OK to use battery test gear
Consol Pennsylvania Coal Company asked MSHA to allow battery-powered, non-permissible testing and diagnostic equipment (including named vibration analyzers like the Emerson AMS 2140 and several Bentley Nevada models) to be used in return air outby the last open crosscut at the Enlow Fork Mine (MSHA ID 36-07416) in Washington County, Pennsylvania. The petition would let such equipment be used only if a qualified person examines it before use, continuous methane monitoring is done before and during use, the equipment is not used at or above 1% methane (it must be de-energized and removed if 1% or more is detected), rock dusting is applied, production stops except for troubleshooting, miners receive training that includes the petition terms, and the petition is posted for at least 60 consecutive days.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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Consol Pennsylvania Coal Company wants to change some safety rules at their mine to use a different method that keeps workers just as safe. This petition could affect miners at their Pennsylvania site and might save time or money by using new safety steps. Everyone has until February 11, 2026, to share their thoughts before any changes happen.